CRAIG HEFNER
HOME FIELD Davisburg, Michigan
T AR GET SPECIES Largemouth, smallmouth, catfish, panfish and pike
TEAM Johnson Outdoors Watersports
KA Y AK Old Town Predator
T OP FINISHES 2013 Kayak Fishing Wars, Freshwater Division winner
GREA TES T VICT ORY This season of Kayak Wars our team has been in first place all year. We are currently over 7,000 points ahead of the second place team. Kayak Wars is a year-long tournament that scores a variety of species. Our team registered 104 fish from 10 different species for the Michigan Master Angler Award.
SECRET WEAPON In Kayak Wars, it’s important to use one bait that might entice more than one species. A spinner bait can be retrieved at different depths and it covers a lot of ground making it effective on pike, largemouth, smallmouth and many other species.
RIGHT S TUFF Use a comfortable seat. After many hours on the water, fatigue can affect your fishing. Aches and pains can cause you to make a bad decision or miss a fish. Look for a seat that can be repositioned throughout the day to relieve back and legs. Or, use a gel seat that provides extra padding and solid back support.
T A C KLE TIPS Always bring a net. Choose a net with a short handle and large hoop. A rubberized net protects the fish’s slime coat and prevents snags. Look for a model that floats. Keep the net where you can reach it easily and keep the net from getting tangled in rods or tackle.
A W A Y G AME To learn about an unfamiliar area, look outside the usual fishing forums and blogs for other materials that cover the water and species you will be fishing. Scientific publications, visitor information and state agencies often provide valuable information on fish populations, habitat and life cycle that could offer an edge on the water.
T OURN AMENT D A Y
Don’t waste time focusing on one species. If your primary target isn’t cooperating, switch gears and target another eligible species. After moving on to Plan B and Plan C, you can always go back to Plan A.
52…KAYAK ANGLER
HOME FIELD St. Petersburg, Florida
T AR GET SPECIES Redfish, speckled trout and flounder
TEAM BOTE Standup Paddleboards
KA Y AK BOTE HD Paddleboard
T OP FINISHES 2013 Kayak Fishing Classics, Fort Desoto, Second Place
2013 Kayak Fishing Classics, Pine Island, Third Place
2013 Kayak Fishing Classics National Championship, Third Place
GREA TES T VICT ORY I was fishing the Fort Desoto tournament and it was down to the wire when I caught back-to-back redfish. That put me over the top.
SECRET WEAPON Four-inch Z-Man paddletail rigged weedless on a 4/0 worm hook. I
like natural colors that match the hatch. I can work the Z-Man slowly and make subtle movements to get more bites from finicky fish.
RIGHT S TUFF
When I’m moving into the wind, I prefer to use a push-pole instead of my paddle. I get more speed and better control poling the board instead of paddling, and I can quickly stake out and make a cast without switching from the paddle to the pole.
T A C KLE TIPS
Space is limited on a standup paddleboard. I have to figure out what lures work before the tournament and then stick to those baits. In the Mosquito Lagoon tournament I only used one pack of Z-Man jig tails all day.
A W A Y G AME To learn the secrets of local pros, visit the docks at the charter fishing marina. Talk with the captains as they come in at the end of the day. Spy on what the pros are using and what they are catching, sometimes they might even divulge a location or hot lure. Fishing is an ego-driven business; bragging sells trips.
T OURN AMENT D A Y Sometimes a bold move pays off. If you’re struggling towards the end of the day, hit that wild card spot that could be a game changer. At one tournament, I knew a nearby place I could find slot-sized reds stacked up, but I paddled two miles to a place that could possibly hold 40 pounders. Always save enough time for an aggressive move that could win the tournament.
“SOMETIMES A BOLD MOVE PAYS OFF.”
PHOTO: CRAIG HEFNER
PHOTO: MIKE JULIAN
MIKE JULIAN
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